Hot Cocoa Bar at The Shabby Cottage Open House

We are having our annual Christmas open house this weekend at the cottage.  Santa will be there, Shealyn will be there to take pictures, there will be a drawing(more on that below).  We will also have goodies and a hot cocoa bar that I wanted to talk about because it turned out super cute.  We got the idea from Pinterest of course, and here is our version...

Cocoa in a pretty apothecary jar...and all the fixins for a perfect cup of hot chocolate...crushed candy canes, milk chocolate, white chocolate, caramel and of course the marshmallows to top it off.

We have these cute little chalkboard totes with glass jars for sale.

(yes we know caramel is misspelled, it's a really small tote)

and these antique mason jars...

How cute is this antique coffee pot we're not actually using it we just had to add it to the display.

My mom made up these adorable bottles filled with cocoa, perfect to put in a stocking.

If you want to make your own hot cocoa buffet, I suggest adding different levels...

like the pedestal or cake plates(shop your house you'll be surprised what you find to use) 

 some greenery(we just went outside and cut some branches),a cute table runner, and some

Christmas napkins.  

Put all your fixins in cute jars or containers.  

Use lots of candy canes and ribbon to add color, 

and of course a cute sign to let everyone know to help themselves.

I also wanted to show what our drawing is for.  I made this sleigh and reindeer vinyl on the Cricut, for the wall above my Christmas village.  

I thought it was so cute I decided to have it as our prize.  So if you make it out to the cottage this weekend you can enter for a chance to win one for your own wall.  I also made one and adhered it to a metal plaque, it will be for sale at the cottage.  

Hope to see this weekend, we're open Friday and Saturday from 10~5.  It's going to be so much fun!

Thanks for stoppin'

                                                                                            Katie

Linking Too:
The Thrifty Groove

Santa's Comin' to the Cottage

(hey those are my kids)

That's right Santa Clause is coming to our little cottage.  Our Open House is December 6th and 7th, and we invited Santa to pose for pictures with your kids.  

Shealyn Stout will also be at the Cottage taking Santa pictures from noon-4 on Saturday.  

You can also bring the whole family 

on Friday from 2-5 for family pictures, so even if your a last minute person like me and you haven't gotten your Christmas card picture yet, 

Shealyn is super quick in getting your pictures delivered.  

We're also having a "Hot Cocoa" bar, a fun give~away, a drawing, lots of specials, and goodies.  I realize not all our readers are local, but if live near it will be a fun, festive time to visit the Cottage.  

It would make my day if you've been to the Cottage before and left your thoughts in the comment section!  just sayin'

thanks for stoppin' by

                               Katie

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Our family at The Shabby Cottage...to yours...

White and Wood Dresser

post by Katie

I tell ya this was the item of this summers garage sales.  I think between me and my mom we picked up five dressers similar to this style. This was one of the more special ones a little bigger, and detailed.  

My husband and I picked it up near the end of the summer, and it sat in the garage waiting for inspiration for awhile.   Then I seen this one at Red Hen Home.  I really wanted to keep the drawers and especially the top wood, but after close inspection, it was just a little too rough, so I settled for leaving some of the trim and legs.  I just cleaned it up and rubbed some stain on it to shine it up.

Apparently I didn't take before pics, errr!

I painted the drawers and top Cottage white.  So I guess it accomplished the same look I was going for.  Mixing white and dark stained wood is my favorite look, it's what I choose to put in my own house mostly. 

 Unfortunately most of the pieces we get are in a pretty rough state.  Stripping and staining is pretty much out of the question do to the time it takes, it's just not worth it.  The funny thing is when a piece is in good enough shape to leave in the original state, it takes much longer to sell.  I think people know that our look is painted furniture and they come for that.

Sadly one of the pulls was broken so I had to come up with something.  I don't mind mismatched handles and knobs and the glass ones I chose are still old fashioned and antiquey (I'm pretty sure they're going to add that word to the dictionary) so I'm ok with it, hopefully someone else who wants this look will be also.

Thanks so much for stoppin' by

                                                                                                        Katie


Linking Too:

Start at Home
The Humble Brag

Miss Mustard Seed

More Pics from Around the Cottage

post by Katie

I wanted to share more of the pictures that Shealyn Stout  took of the Cottage a few weeks ago.  Of course it looks wayyy different now.  We brought Christmas to the Cottage.  We're also constantly selling pieces and moving things around, but you get a good idea of what we have to offer on a regular bases.

We have lots of decorative iron, architectural elements, industrial hooks, handles and knobs to offer...

  

How cute is this "numbered" screen...

We have a little trailer full of more antiquey(I'm pretty sure that's a word;), and industrial decor...

We would love for you to come and see us!

Thanks for stoppin' by

                                                 Katie

Two~Tone Hutch with Glass Doors

post by Katie

Finally a simple, no big issues project.  This hutch was a Craigslist find, It was close to home, a good price, and all in tact.  I even got to keep the handles and knobs.  

It's projects like this that sorta make up for those "challenging" ones.  

I decided on black but painted the top and inside our creamy white then antiqued it with Minwax in Provincial.  It's features are the glass paneled doors, with adjustable shelves, shuttered lower cabinets doors for storage, also the long drawer for flatware or platters.  I also have a thing for furniture with legs.

I think it turned our pretty cute, it's on the smaller side, so pretty easy to fit in anywhere.

Here it is before...

Thanks for stoppin'

                                                              Katie

Linking Too:
knick-of-time-tuesday
homestories a to z
confessions of a plate addict
A Stroll Thru Life
The Dedicated House
Power of Paint Party
DIY by Design
start at home
No minimalist Here
From my front porch to yours
Savvy Southern Style
One Project Closer
Miss Mustard Seed

Chandeliers & Lamps on Sale this Weekend

Beginning this weekend we will be offering weekly deals up until Christmas.  This Friday and Saturday all chandeliers and lamps are on sale, so I thought I would post some of the lighting options we have to offer at the Cottage.

Would love to see this weekend if your in the area.

Thanks so much for stoppin'